Preseason Unit Rankings: The Nation's Top Defensive Units

Defense has become more about scheme and less about personnel, which means that the same teams consistently end up atop the scoring charts. Still, each system requires a different skillset, so matching style and talent is important. These defenses do that best.

1. Duke

Blue Devils defense welcomes back Mike Manley after he sat out 2011with a torn ACL. Manley may be the first defender taken in the 2012 MLL collegiate draft. Sophomores Chris Hipps and Luke Duprey benefit from significant playing time last spring. C.J. Costabile is a flashy pole who's versatility and handle give opponents nightmares. Jimmy O'Neill, Bill Conners and Henry Lobb fortify the defense in front of goalie Dan Wigrizer, who'll be challenged for the starting role.

2. Johns Hopkins

Chris Lightner missed the fall nursing a lower back injury. He's the glue inside. The hard-nosed defender is flanked by Tucker Durkin and sophomore Jack Reilly, who must progress if Hopkins hopes to hold the trophy in May. Marshall Burkhardt is at shortstick d-middie, but the Jays lack a charismatic longstick middie. Goalie Pierce Bassett benefits from a strong team defense as the Jays don't surrender many shots from inside the paint.

3. Virginia

It'll be interesting to see whether the Cavs play as much Zone D in 2012 as they did in 2011. Their personnel on defense is better overall this spring. Scott McWilliams is a prototypical No. 1 cover guy. Harry Prevas improved late in 2011. Chris Clements was the unsung hero of the national title run and can play pole or close defense. Matt Lovejoy is back after injuring his shoulder last spring. Freshmen Greg Danseglio and Tanner Ottenbreit will be incorporated into the lineup. The biggest question mark for Virginia on defense will be in the goal and at shortstick d-middie.

4. Syracuse

Matt Harris, Brian Megill, Kyle Carey and Dave Hamlin form a strong close defense. Harris played second pole last spring and was a beast in limited runs. Megill is best suited as a No. 2 defender. Kevin Drew solidifies the midfield defense; he may be the best at his position in the country. The Orange auditioned seven goalies in the fall and will likely start Matt Lerman or Bobby Wardwell.

5. Princeton

If the Tigers stay healthy, they'll be back in the hunt for an NCAA bid because of their stingy defense led by John Cunningham, Chad Wiedmaier and Jonathan Meyers and goaltender Tyler Fiorito.

6. Ohio State

Buckeyes have recruited killer defensemen and it'll pay off in 2012. Last year, they held opponents to 8.06 goals per game. Ohio State returns three starters in Matt Kawamoto, Keenan Ochwat and Joe Bonanni, and a deep core of athletes like Darius Bowling, John Hardesty, Joe Meurer, Brock Sorensen and Dominic Imbordino — guys with size and speed to fill out the midfield defense.

7. Hofstra

The Pride will put up terrific defensive numbers in 2012 because of their patient offense, face-off dominance and solid schemes. The close unit will be comprised of Cody Solaja, Corey Caputo, Mark Mullen, Michael Hamilton, Brian Hogan and Tom Passenant.

8. Penn

The Quakers return their starting longstick middie in Will Koshansky, starting goalie in Brian Feeney and two starting close defensemen in Maxx Meyer and Anthony Santomo. The third starting spot, along with the fourth close defenseman and second pole, will be between sophomores Alex Blonsky (the second pole last year), Reid Tudor and freshman Matt McMahon.

9. Cornell

The Big Red rely on under-sized but productive defenders in Mike Bronzino and Jason Noble. They collapse in the paint, support and slide early. Cornell "shows," or fake slides from the adjacent defender, as well as anybody. The third spot appears to be an open battle between Thomas Keith, Tom Freshour and a trio of freshman — Connor Hunt, Jordan Stevens and Russell Scott. Cornell must get bigger, more physical and stronger in the defensive end. They got pushed around in their 2011 playoff loss.

10. Yale

Continuity and chemistry means everything for a defense. Yale has a trio with that synergy; juniors Mike McCormack, Peter Johnson and Phil Gross have started since Day One. Yale has question marks between the pipes and at LSM.